Kay Bullen is the co-founder of Hedgehog Helpline and has dedicated almost four decades to the rescue, rehabilitation and conservation of hedgehogs across Wales. Her passion for wildlife began long before the charity was established, caring for injured and orphaned hedgehogs as an individual rescuer before joining forces with Keith Jones in the late 1980s to create what would become the largest hedgehog rescue in Wales.
Kay a qualified veterinary nurse and unwavering compassion and determination, helped shape Hedgehog Helpline from a small volunteer-led rescue into a respected wildlife charity, providing expert care to thousands of hedgehogs while supporting members of the public, veterinary practices and fellow wildlife rehabilitators. Throughout the charity’s history, she was instrumental in developing high standards of rehabilitation, ensuring that every hedgehog had the very best opportunity to return safely to the wild.
Recognising the need for consistent, evidence-based care, Kay developed one of the first comprehensive Hedgehog Rehabilitation Manuals,with Keith providing practical guidance for wildlife rehabilitators and helping to establish best practice in hedgehog care. Their work became an invaluable educational resource, supporting rescuers in delivering the highest standards of rehabilitation.
A passionate advocate for public education, Kay believed that conservation begins with awareness. During her time with Hedgehog Helpline, she created Hedgehog Awareness Week, an annual campaign dedicated to celebrating hedgehogs and educating the public about the simple actions everyone can take to help them. The initiative has grown into one of the highlights of the wildlife conservation calendar and is now a much-anticipated annual campaign led by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), continuing Kay’s vision of bringing people together for the benefit of hedgehogs nationwide.
Sadly for Hedgehog Helpline, Kay’s move across the border marked the end of an extraordinary chapter with the charity she helped to build. While her departure was a great loss to the organisation, it also marked the beginning of a new chapter in her lifelong commitment to hedgehog conservation. Kay continued her hedgehog journey with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), where her wealth of knowledge, experience and passion for wildlife has continued to benefit hedgehogs and those dedicated to their care across the UK.
As Co-Founder, Kay’s vision, dedication and compassion continue to form the heart of Hedgehog Helpline. Her life’s work has helped save many thousands of hedgehogs, pioneered educational resources and national awareness campaigns, inspired countless people to become involved in wildlife conservation, and played a significant role in protecting one of Britain’s most iconic and much-loved native mammals for future generations.